Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring usage of a Software As A Service (SAAS) application for post-processing of scanned data generated by a client device (e.g., MFPs). A management system receives a pricing model for an SAAS application, where the pricing model includes a post-post processing feature of the SAAS application available to a user of the client device. The pricing model also includes information identifying a price for use of the post-processing feature. Information is received by the management system regarding use of the post-processing feature by the user, and a revenue report is generated regarding the post-processing feature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for flexible presentation of Software As A Service (SAAS) applications to one or more client devices such as multi-function devices (e.g., MFPs). A management system receives presentation layout information for subscribed SAAS applications from users and administrators, generates a menu of subscribed SAAS applications for presentation to a user on a display of the client device, and transmits the menu to a client device for presentation to the user on a display of the client device. The management system may also provide for user/administrator customization of the menu of applications available to users, and for revocation of applications by an administrator of the management system.

Abstract: Status information of one or more business office appliances operating behind a firewall are retrieved remotely by a service management application. The service management application transmits, via electronic mail from a first network behind a first firewall to a second network behind a second firewall, information that identifies the one or more business office appliances. A device management application at the second network receives the information and, based on the information, communicates instructions to one or more business office appliances. The instructions are executed on the one or more business office appliances without requiring re-boot of the business office appliances. Results of executing the instructions are used to generate a response document that is sent back to the service management application and/or to a database on the first network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for flexible presentation of Software As A Service (SAAS) applications to one or more client devices such as multi-function devices (e.g., MFPs). A management system receives presentation layout information for subscribed SAAS applications from users and administrators, generates a menu of subscribed SAAS applications for presentation to a user on a display of the client device, and transmits the menu to a client device for presentation to the user on a display of the client device. The management system may also provide for user/administrator customization of the menu of applications available to users, and for revocation of applications by an administrator of the management system.

Abstract: Software configuration and status information of one or more business office appliances operating behind a firewall are controlled remotely by a software patch management application. The software patch management application is connected to a network and transmits instructions and software patches via electronic mail to a network connection on the other side of the firewall. A device management application receives the instructions and/or software patches and communicates the instructions and/or software patches to one or more business office appliances for execution and/or installation without requiring re-boot of the business office appliances.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for flexible presentation of Software As A Service (SAAS) applications to one or more client devices such as multi-function devices (e.g., MFPs). A management system receives presentation layout information for subscribed SAAS applications from users and administrators, generates a menu of subscribed SAAS applications for presentation to a user on a display of the client device, and transmits the menu to a client device for presentation to the user on a display of the client device. The management system may also provide for user/administrator customization of the menu of applications available to users, and for revocation of applications by an administrator of the management system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring usage of a Software As A Service (SAAS) application for post-processing of scanned data generated by a client device (e.g., MFPs). A management system receives a pricing model for an SAAS application, where the pricing model includes a post-post processing feature of the SAAS application available to a user of the client device. The pricing model also includes information identifying a price for use of the post-processing feature. Information is received by the management system regarding use of the post-processing feature by the user, and a revenue report is generated regarding the post-processing feature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for flexible management of applications and volume pricing models provided by one or more application service providers and accessible to one or more client devices such as multi-function devices (e.g., MFPs). A management system registers new applications by recording in a database application information and a volume pricing model provided by the application service provider. Client devices may then request a menu of all available applications and may subscribe to one or more provided applications by interaction with the management system. The management system receives usage information from the service provider for usage of a subscribed application by the client device. The management system records the usage information and may produce reports upon request from the recorded usage information. Reports for accumulated usage and related charges may then be generated based on the usage information and the volume pricing model.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for flexible presentation of Software As A Service (SAAS) applications to one or more client devices such as multi-function devices (e.g., MFPs). A management system receives presentation layout information for subscribed SAAS applications from users and administrators, generates a menu of subscribed SAAS applications for presentation to a user on a display of the client device, and transmits the menu to a client device for presentation to the user on a display of the client device. The management system may also provide for user/administrator customization of the menu of applications available to users, and for revocation of applications by an administrator of the management system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for flexible management of applications provided by one or more application service providers and accessible to one or more client devices such as multi-function devices (e.g., MFPs). A management system registers new applications by recording in a database application information provided by the application service provider. Client devices may then request a menu of all available applications and may subscribe to one or more provided applications by interaction with the management system by transmitting subscription information to the management system. The management system then receives usage information from the service provider for usage of a subscribed application by the client device. The management system records the usage information and may produce reports upon request from the recorded usage information.

Abstract: Status information of one or more business office appliances operating behind a firewall are retrieved remotely by a service management application. The service management application transmits, via electronic mail from a first network behind a first firewall to a second network behind a second firewall, information that identifies the one or more business office appliances. A device management application at the second network receives the information and, based on the information, communicates instructions to one or more business office appliances. The instructions are executed on the one or more business office appliances without requiring re-boot of the business office appliances. Results of executing the instructions are used to generate a response document that is sent back to the service management application and/or to a database on the first network.

Abstract: Software configuration and status information of one or more business office appliances operating behind a firewall are controlled remotely by a software patch management application. The software patch management application is connected to a network and transmits instructions and software patches via electronic mail to a network connection on the other side of the firewall. A device management application receives the instructions and/or software patches and communicates the instructions and/or software patches to one or more business office appliances for execution and/or installation without requiring re-boot of the business office appliances.